Utorogun Gas Plants are in Udu, Community replies Zik Gbemre

Otor-Udu Community, political and traditional headquarters of Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, has warned Mr. Zik Gbemre to desist from peddling erroneous impressions in public spaces capable of breaching the peace being enjoyed by the people of Udu and Ughelli South Local Government Areas of Delta State, stressing that the Utorogun Gas Plant phase 1, 2 and 3 are in Udu local government area.

In a statement signed by President of Otor-Udu, Pastor Moses Bekaren and Secretary General, Comrade Nelson Ogandje in response to an article by Mr. Zik Gbemre on the topic: ‘To Set The Records Straight On The Creation Of Ughelli-South Local Government Council’ wherein Gbemre asserted that "while the Utorogu Gas Plant phase 1 (also known as Utorogu NAG 1), is located in Udu and Ughelli-South LGAs, the Utorogu Gas Plant phase 2 (also known as Utorogu NAG 2) and the ongoing construction of the Utorogu Gas Plant phase 3 (Utorogu NAG 3) are located in Ughelli-South LGA", Otor-Udu Community described the assertion as erroneous and must be corrected to check any infractions now and in the future.

According to the statement, the leadership of Otor-Udu Community was mandated to respond to the erroneous impression and to set the records straight as follows:

‘’That the Zik Gbemre publication at best is a calculated attempt to mislead the unassuming public and possibly to cause further disaffection in an already fragile peace environment and to escalate tension between the people of Otor-Udu and Iwhrekan Communities.

‘’That Otor-Udu Community is the traditional home of the Udu people whose existence was long before the arrival of any other Community on the west side of the Okpare River as all available historical records and accounts have attested to.

‘’That it is no news that the Iwhrekan Community occupy part of the land of Owhrode people known as Okomu land as adjudged by the Supreme Court (suit no. S.C. 155/1964) on 4th March, 1966 as a yearly paying customary tenant of Owhrode people (overlord) of which Otor-Udu is an integral part.

‘’That adjacent to the aforementioned Okomu land from Otor-Udu is a large parcel of land known as Orogho land of Otor-Udu people where the Utorogu Gas Plants (NAG -1, NAG -2 & NAG -3) are cited.

‘’That in 1942, the Clan Court of Udu Holden at Otor-Udu gave judgement (Case no. 8/1942) on 6th January, 1942 in favour of the Otor-Udu people when one Onokurhefe Gbobiredjo of Iwhrekan Community trespassed and planted rubber trees on part of the Orogho land.

‘’That the only known land adjacent to the Orogho land from Otughievwen Town is the Orhowhe land - a sub clan of the Ughievwen Clan.

‘’That Otor-Udu is compromising without prejudice to pending Court cases (OUHC/195/2020 and OUHC/200/2020) to allow its neighbours particularly Iwhrekan Community to benefit from the Utorogu Gas Plants obviously because of its proximity does not in anyway confer title of ownership of the land hosting the Utorogu Gas Plants on them (Iwhrekan).

‘’Suffice it to say that Iwhrekan Community is only a host Community by tenancy/association as Otor-Udu Community is the only original host Community of the Utorogu Gas Plants as it is a well known fact that Udu deforested the area before Iwhrekan became a community by tenancy.

‘’That while we seek nothing but peaceful coexistence with everyone, especially our neighbours, we warn those who are making provocative and malicious claims to desist and be mindful of their claims and actions in order to allow the existing but fragile peace not to escalate’’, the statement added.

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